NEWS

On Wednesday, June 21st, BP Oddo joined with representatives of the Department of Education, as well as Borough Student Advisory Council (BSAC) student representatives, to announce the allocation of $21,189,000 in capital funding for educational purposes in Fiscal Year 18.

The students—who represented CSI High School for International Studies, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, New Dorp High School, Susan Wagner High School and Tottenville High School—were invited back to Borough Hall to see firsthand how their voices can make a difference. At the end of April, these same representatives brought their school’s concerns to the BP in hopes that he would listen and take their ideas into consideration when allocating taxpayer money the following year. BP Oddo did just that, and their proposals represent five of the projects put forward in the allocated budget for educational funding.

“If you look at any of the challenges we have as a community on Staten Island, across the city, or across the country, the solution and the way to improve those things is investing in young people, making them the best they can be and giving them the tools they need to succeed,” BP Oddo told the students. “Thus, when we have the opportunity to give out taxpayer money to a certain project, we have put an emphasis on educational problems. I hope you, as students, realize you do in fact have a say in what happens in your community.”

“It means so much to know that there are people listening to us. We want to leave a legacy. Knowing that future students are going to enjoy field lights because of this opportunity you gave us is such an amazing feeling,” said a New Dorp High School student.

This year’s funding represents a portion of the $51,928,000 of taxpayer money that BP Oddo has allocated for education since taking office in 2014.

On Wednesday, June 7th, BP Oddo joined with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Council Member Debi Rose to announce the installation of new closed-circuit television cameras at the Todt Hill Houses. BP Oddo allocated $2.9 million in funding over two years for the security upgrades.

“More than ten years ago, I allocated funding to bring security cameras to the South Beach and Berry Houses, the two NYCHA developments in my old City Council district,” noted BP Oddo. “I did this because cameras make these developments safer. The fact is, whenever I speak to NYCHA residents in developments that have cameras they are happy with the cameras, and when I speak to those in developments without them they indicate a desire for them. Cameras at the Todt Hill Houses will have the same positive effect they have had on other NYCHA facilities.”

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our residents. Security upgrades are crucial to improving safety, and we’re making them across our portfolio with the support of our City and State partners, who have secured vital funding for these projects,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye.​The upgrades at the Todt Hill houses are part of a larger plan to install cameras, exterior lighting, and layer-access control, which uses key-fob technology to provide building entry access to residents at 22 public housing developments across the city.